Third party needed

Letters to the editor on the D.C. budget showdown, for Oct. 16, 2013

Third party needed

Writer Walter Tice (“Doesn’t see a democracy in the U.S.,” Letters, Oct. 16) points out the most significant problem we have in government. The Constitution doesn’t specify we have a two-party oligarchy. It’s only that way because We The People accept it.

To get our government functioning properly again it is obvious we need a third party between the two majors. We don’t need a third party to win the presidency or a majority in Congress; we just need a few legislators who pay attention to “doing what’s right” instead of what keeps their party in power.

We can do this. If everyone disgusted with both parties changed their voter registration right now - to a third party - our legislators would see their base eroding and start paying attention. If you wait until the election it’s too late. They need to see this happening before the final votes are tallied.

And, if you ultimately voted third party, perhaps one truly independent legislator might even get elected. Imagine the impact of that.

Todd Maddison

Oceanside

House GOP guilty of 'pathological reasoning'

Many years ago I saw a TV documentary on pathological killers. I watched in fascination and horror as one of these killers explained that his two victims were killed through their own fault. He didn’t deny killing them; he calmly explained that he had to kill them because they didn’t do what he told them to do to his satisfaction.

Paraphrasing: “If they had done what I said they’d be alive today.”

That reasoning and the accompanying story has haunted me to this day.

This came to my mind as I watched the Republicans blame the President and congressional Democrats for the government shutdown. It’s as if they are saying, “We’re holding this gun to the heads of the American people, but it’s not our fault if it goes off.”

That is pathological reasoning at its very best.

Charles H. Sampson

Mira Mesa

Tiny minority causing suffering

Using extortion against the good faith and credit (debt limit: money we have already spent) of the United States seems to be domestic terrorism. This strange idea of saying NO to everything threatens all American jobs as well as the global economy. Due to a radical fringe element in one branch of our government, our entire economy is in an extremely dangerous situation.

The current federal budget is well within both Democratic and Republican 2014 specified goals. It appears the shutdown of our government was never about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) but about a hatred of our government and perhaps our president. Millions of Americans are suffering today due to needless cuts and furloughs caused by a tiny minority in Washington. We don’t need more lies and fear-mongering by a few.

It’s time for thoughtful leaders to stand up and return our country to the majority by voting for the long-term good of all Americans. Let’s honor our 2012 election before it’s too late.